Archive for the ‘Gluten Free’ Category

I know what you’re thinking. “It’s summer. Why the hell would I make soup?” Well, because it’s healthy (perfect for your Giselle Bundchen summer beach bod), refreshing, hearty enough so that it fills you and it’s extremely cost-effective for the amount of soup it makes.

The last and most important reason why you should make this soup is because I know my shit and everyone should abide by everything I say.

Often, what I make is inspired by what I eat when I’m at a restaurant. This is my usual process: I figure out what ingredients they used, how they did it and then confidently (or over-confidently, as some would inconceivably say) decide that I can make it and that I can make it better. That’s what happened here. I had escarole bean soup last week at this little hole-in-the-wall Italian joint by where I work in Woodland Park. Theirs was fantastic. Mine was superb.

Like this:

With Cinco De Mayo a day away, who isn’t planning for what they’ll eat after a few shots of tequila? Amiright? While this is guac is super duper easy, I recommend not making it post tequila consumption. Ya know, I don’t want to be held liable for anyone who cuts a finger off while dicing a red bell pepper.

I prefer my guac chunky, so I didn’t bother using a blender. If you like yours smooth, by all means go for it. And make sure your avocados are ripe enough before you make it… none of the avocados at the grocery store seemed ripe enough, so I left mine in a brown paper bag for 2 days with an apple inside. The apple releases ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process for the avocados. Expert tip right there. Also, if you leave the pit of the avocado in the guac and add lemon to it, it helps the guac to retain its pretty green color.

I was going to add tomato to this too, but someone in my house used the tomato I bought (notpointingfingersbutitwasmymom). The guac ended up tasting great without it, so my recipe doesn’t include it, whereas many others do.

I wish I took more photos! I used this guacamole in my lunches — I put it on grilled chicken sandwiches and in salads and boy, it was so much tastier than the store-bought stuff. And for the amount you get from this recipe, it’s definitely cheaper.

This will be a quick one. I have to go to sleep soon, since as of tomorrow I will be a real person with responsibilities and taxes to pay. Thumbs up to being a big girl. Thumbs down to wearing dress pants daily.

This smoothie will knock your socks off. These proportions are based on my personal preference – lots of strawberry and orange, but you can taste it as you blend and adjust to your liking.(more…)